Health Leave of Absence

picture of tree over a bridge

The following information is for undergraduate students at Durham or Manchester who are seeking a Health Leave of Absence. Students may qualify for a Health Leave of Absence if they are taking a leave of absence for medical or psychological reasons. Undergraduate Durham or Manchester students leaving for reasons other than health or who do not wish to take a Health Leave of Absence can find more information on the general leave of absence process here.

Graduate students at Durham or Manchester seeking a leave of absence should contact Dovev Levine, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, by email
(dovev.levine@unh.edu) or by phone (603) 862-2234.

Law School students seeking a leave of absence should contact Brad Hinton, Assistant Registrar, by email (Brad.Hinton@law.unh.edu) or by phone (603) 513-5119.

CPS Online students seeking a leave of absence should contact Tiffany Doherty, Director of Student Affairs by email (Tiffany.Doherty@unh.edu) or by phone (603) 513-1328.

Process and Policy

During the fall and spring semesters, when classes are in session, students can request for a Health Leave of Absence by contacting Michael Blackman, Dean of Students, by email (dean.students@unh.edu) or by phone (603) 862-2053. The Health Leave of Absence process may afford students some additional consideration regarding their grades and/or tuition. However, to qualify for a health leave, students must have documentation from a licensed treatment provider justifying the need to take a leave for health reasons.

To request a Health Leave of Absence after classes end, students must contact their college’s Associate Dean. If you receive any financial aid, the effective date of your leave of absence may affect your present and/or future financial aid. Please check with Business Services by calling (603) 862-2230.

Request Form

Please print and complete the Request Form, and send it to Dr. Blackman via scan/email (dean.students@unh.edu) or fax (603.862.3550 attn: Michael Blackman). Please note that UNH policy states that students are prohibited from returning until one full semester has elapsed after the semester when a student takes a health leave of absence.

Leave of Absence Supporting Letter

You will also need to request a letter from your treatment provider (physician, therapist, etc.).

Leave of Absence Sample Letter

This letter must

  • be typed on office letterhead stationery or sent from a verified provider office email address;
  • indicate the diagnosis and/or specific nature of the health condition and the current status of that diagnosis/condition;
  • verify and support the condition as the reason for the leave of absence from UNH.

The letter should be sent to Dean Blackman via scan/email (dean.students@unh.edu) or fax (603) 862-3550, attn.: Michael Blackman.

Housing & Residential Life

If you live on campus, you must also complete the housing cancellation process and will need to check out of your residence hall/apartment. Students who are approved for a health leave are offered a partial refund calculated based on the date that they fully move out of housing.

If you presently live on campus and will require on-campus housing upon your intended return to UNH, contact Housing & Residential Life. If your condition will require any physical modifications to your room/bathroom, you must notify Housing & Residential Life as well as Student Accessibility Services at least 12 weeks prior to your intended arrival.

Dining

If you have a meal plan, contact Dining regarding any potential refund.

Insurance & Student Health Benefit Plans

You are responsible for determining how your leave of absence may affect your health insurance coverage. If you have the UNH Student Health Benefits Plan (SHBP), please contact Gregory Turcotte (gregory.turcotte@unh.edu) with any questions.


Returning to UNH

Students who wish to return from a Leave of Absence for Health Reasons must complete a Request Form and send it to Dr. Blackman via scan/email (dean.students@unh.edu) or fax (603) 862-3550 attn.: Michael Blackman along with a Support Letter (see below). 

Please note that UNH policy states that students are prohibited from returning until one semester has elapsed following a leave of absence for health reasons. Students may inquire about the possibility of returning early by contacting the Dean of Students. Exceptions may be considered particularly in the case of a student taking the leave early in the semester.

Return from Leave of Absence Support Letter

You must obtain a letter from your health-care provider who has treated you since your departure. The health care provider's information will be reviewed by the Dean of Students.

This letter must

  • be typed on office letterhead stationery or sent from a verified provide office email address
  • describe the extent of your treatment and the provider's assessment of your readiness to resume studies
  • include a description of the current status of your condition
  • describe any special needs you may require upon your arrival on campus

return from leave of absence samplE LETTER
The letter should be sent to Dr. Blackman via scan/email (dean.students@unh.edu) or fax (603) 862-3550 attn.: Michael Blackman.